Textiles and surface pattern: drawing and digital print

About this course

The course begins with drawing and printmaking exercises, including mark making, monoprinting and block printing. These source designs are then scanned and developed in Photoshop, with demonstrations covering file preparation, resolution, repeat patterns, filters and colour adaptation. Teaching combines demonstrations, practical exercises, handouts, and group and individual assistance. Participants develop a selection of digital designs and prepare finished work for printing onto fabric and paper.

What you'll learn

• Produce drawings and prints suitable for textile design
• Distinguish between three basic textile repeats and understand how they are created
• Scan, clean up and digitise hand-produced designs in Photoshop
• Use Photoshop filters and colour adaptation to alter digital files
• Prepare final designs for saving and printing on fabric and high-quality paper

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for beginners, as well as students, artists and designers who have ideas or designs on paper and want an introduction to Photoshop. Photoshop experience is helpful but not essential. Sessions combine demonstrations with practical work and group or individual assistance, and additional tasks may be set outside class.

• Suitable for learners developing an initial understanding of Photoshop
• Existing drawings, designs or visual ideas can be brought into the digital part of the course
• Some additional work may be suggested between sessions

Before you go

• A USB stick is needed for saving digital work.
• Bring a notebook and a file or folder for course notes and drawings.
• A sketchbook or scrapbook of drawings, ideas and visual inspiration may also be brought.
• Basic drawing materials and computers are provided.
• Learners may use their own laptop during the Photoshop sessions, but it must have Adobe Photoshop installed.
• Course materials, presentations and handouts are available through Google Classroom. Learners are asked to sign in before the first session.